College of Architecture and Urban Studies
and College of Engineering

Myers-Lawson School of Construction

Construction Engineering and Management Program

Overview

The Myers-Lawson School of Construction offers students in the College of Engineering a Bachelor of Science Degree in Construction Engineering and Management. This degree is designed for students who wish to pursue a career in the construction industry. The undergraduate program facilitates the development of critical technical, managerial and professional knowledge and skills required for entry into the construction industry or graduate studies. This body of knowledge includes the decision and optimization methods required to integrate and manage the resources essential to construction operations along with the skills that support the development of safe, ethical, socially responsible, and sustainable solutions for the built environment.


Construction managers plan, direct, and coordinate construction projects, including the building of all types of residential, commercial, and industrial structures, roads, bridges, and other public works projects. Construction managers coordinate and supervise the construction process from the conceptual development stage through final construction, ensuring the project is completed within time and budget constraints and is compliant with building and safety codes and other regulations.

The focus of this degree is construction management with engineering and business management as additional major areas of study. The degree retains an emphasis on engineering, with a focus on construction theory and applications, while providing students the opportunity to define the areas of business management they wish to study to complement their career goals.

Coursework capitalizes upon established excellence in the Via Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, the Department of Building Construction and the Pamplin College of Business. The majority of courses are drawn from existing curricula in Civil Engineering and Building Construction. Complementary courses from the College of Business provide the balance.

Consistent with the general program goal of facilitating development of student competence necessary for entry into the construction industry or graduate school, the School has developed the following program objectives:

Within a few years of curriculum completion, graduates of the Construction Engineering and Management program should be able to combine skills gained through academic preparation and post-graduation experience so that they can:


• Identify, design, analyze, integrate and manage the technical, material, financial, legal and personnel administration aspects that support construction operations, projects and organizations throughout the project lifecycle, i.e., from programming to decommissioning.
• Incorporate safety, efficiency, cost effectiveness, environmental sensitivity and social awareness into the development, planning and implementation of construction operations and processes.
• Apply skills of effective communication, entrepreneurship, teamwork, values-based leadership, professional and ethical behaviors that are the necessary compliment to technical competence.
• Continue their professional development and learning which may include professional licensure or certification, graduate level education, continuing education courses, self-directed study and active involvement in the construction community.
  
  

Classroom instruction in the construction engineering and management program is reinforced by instructional laboratories, field trips and guest lectures by leading construction professionals. The department seeks to employ the latest educational technology and innovative teaching methods.

Students in the School have the opportunity to participation in a summer internship program during which they may apply the concepts learned in the classroom in real world applications. The School encourages all students to participate in professional work experience prior to graduation.

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Class Size Limitation

A proposal to limit enrollment in the BS CEM degree has been approved by University governance. The proposal limits enrollment to 40 students per year. The criteria that must be met in order to gain entry into the program include the following three inputs, weighted accordingly:

1. Overall GPA. (60%)
   
2. The grade obtained for a statement of intent outlining career objectives and experience in the construction industry prepared and submitted to a three person faculty committee. (20%)
   
3. The grade obtained in an interview to determine commitment to success with a two person faculty committee. (20%)
   

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Accreditation and Registration

The Construction Engineering and Management degree will seek accreditation by the Engineering Accreditation Commission of ABET after the first class has graduated in May 2009. Accreditation, if successful, is applied retroactively within a two-year period, therefore students graduating in May 2009 will benefit from successful accreditation in the same manner as future classes.


The Virginia State Board of Registration has granted permission for seniors studying towards the BS CEM degree to sit for the Fundamentals of Engineering (FE) exam during the 2008/2009 academic year in anticipation of ABET EAC accreditation.


The contact person for the undergraduate Construction Engineering and Management program is Dr. Christine Fiori, at 540/239-3389 or e-mail: cfiori@vt.edu.

Construction Engineering and Management Program (for 2010)

Note: Graduation requires a total of 133 semester credits. Requirements are subject to change; prospective students should contact the department prior to initiating individual programs of study.


First Year
First Semester
CHEM 1035: General Chemistry or CHEM 1074: Chemistry for Engineers	3
CHEM 1045: General Chemistry Lab or CHEM 1084: Chemistry for Engineers Lab	1
MATH 1205: Calculus	3
MATH 1114: Linear Algebra	2
ENGL 1105: Freshman English	3
ENGE 1024: Engr. Exploration	2
Liberal Education Elective: See remarks	1
Credits	15
Second Semester
PHYS 2305: Foundations of Physics I	4
MATH 1206: Calculus	3
MATH 1224: Vector Geometry	2
ENGL 1106: Freshman English	3
ENGE 1114 Exploration of Engineering or ENGE 1104 Exploration of Digital Future	2
Liberal Education Elective: See remarks	3
Credits	17
Second Year
First Semester
PHYS 2306: Foundations of Physics I	4
MATH 2224: Multivariable Calculus	3
ESM 2104: Statics	3
GEOS 2104: Elements of Geology	3
CEE 2804: Intro. to CEE	2
ENGE 2824: CEE Drawings & CAD	1
Credits	16
Second Semester
STAT 3704: Statistics for Engr. Applications	2
MATH 2214: Differential Equations	3
ESM 2204: Mech. of Deformable Bodies	3
ISE 2014: Engineering Economy	2
CEE 2814: CEE Measurements	4
Liberal Education Elective: See remarks	3
Credits	17
Third Year
First Semester
CEE 3404: Theory of Structures	3
CEE 3014: Construction Management	3
CEE 3514: Intro to Geotechnical Engr	3
CEE 3804: Computer Application in CEE	3
CEE 4014: Estimating	3
CEE 4074: Construction Means & Methods	3
Credits	18
Second Semester
CEE 3684: CEE Materials	3
CEE 3434: Design of Steel Structures	3
BC 4014: Building Systems Tech II	3
BC 3064: Building Systems Tech Lab	2
ENGL 3764: Technical Writing	3
ECON 2005: Principles of Economics	3
Credits	17
Fourth Year
First Semester
CEE 3424: Reinforced Concrete Design	3
CEE 4024: Const. Control Techniques	3
CEE Technical Elective: See Remarks	3
BC 4434: Construction Practice I	3
ECON 2006: Principles of Economics	3
Business Elective: See Remarks	3
Credits	18
Second Semester
CEE 4804: Prof. & Legal Issues in Engr.	3
CEE 3104: Intro. to Environmental Engr. or CEE 4554: Natural Disaster Mitigation & Recov.	3
BC 4444: Construction Practice II	4
BC4064: Construction Practice Lab	2
Business Elective: See Remarks	3
Credits	15

REMARKS:
Curriculum for Liberal Education Remarks: Engineering students entering the university in 1999-2000 or later are required to meet the following Curriculum for Liberal Education requirements, in addition to their college and departmental requirements:



Credits
ViEWS - met by a designated sequence of required CEM courses and ENGL 3764	6
CLE Area 2: Ideas, Cultural Traditions and Values	6
CLE Area 3: Society and Human Behavior	6
CLE Area 6: Creativity and Aesthetic Experience	1

Business Electives – must be taken from list shown on applicable CEM checksheet.


CEE Technical Elective Remarks – must satisfy departmental requirements as shown on the appplicable CEE checksheet.

Undergraduate Course Descriptions

4974: INDEPENDENT STUDY
Variable credit course.

4984: SPECIAL STUDY
Variable credit course.

Undergraduate Course Descriptions within the CEM Major

Building Construction (BC)

3064: BUILDING SYSTEMS TECHNOLOGY LAB
Develop a competency in the application of Building Environmental Systems, through modeling, scheduling, estimating, and experiments in support of a senior capstone project. Pre: (4004 or CEE 2814), PHYS 2306. Co: 2044, 4014, CEE 3014, CEE 4074. (1H,2L,2C)


4014: BUILDING SYSTEMS TECHNOLOGY II
This course places an emphasis on the physical installation and integration of passive and active environmental control systems including: heating, ventilation, air conditioning, lighting, acoustics and plumbing. Lectures by faculty and seminars by construction industry practitioners address issues that are relevant to illustrating the applications resulting from theory studied in BC 4004. Pre: (4004 or CEE 2814), PHYS 2306. Co: 2044, 3064, CEE 3014, CEE 4074. (2H,3L,3C)

4064: CONSTRUCTION PRACTICE LAB
Application of the business and construction practices related to operation of a construction company to the execution of a senior capstone project. All project management concepts learned in prior courses are applied in the capstone lab experience. Written and oral work is formally presented and critiqued among construction faculty, students, and industry professionals. Pre: 4434. Co: 4444.
(1H,2L,2C)

4434: CONSTRUCTION PRACTICE I
Business and construction practices related to operation of a construction company are studied. Construction law is examined as it relates construction, financial and personnel management. Project management topics studied in this course include permitting, site evaluations, design development and design phase considerations such as preliminary estimates and project constructability. Writing Intensive (WI) course. I Pre: (4014, 3064), (2044 or CEE 3014, CEE 4074). (3H,3C)

4444: CONSTRUCTION PRACTICE II
This course explores and applies the business and construction practices related to operation of a construction company to a capstone experience. Construction law is examined as it relates to construction, financial and personnel management. Project management topics studied in this course are applied in the corequisite lab. This course is formally designated as a writing intensive course. Formal written and edited and oral presentations are presented and critiqued by the BC faculty team, the writing resource center, students and industry professionals. Pre: 4434. Co: 4064. (3H,3L,4C) II.

Civil and Environmental Engineering (CEE)

2804: INTRODUCTION TO CIVIL AND ENVIRONMENTAL ENGINEERING
Overview of the civil engineering profession and the undergraduate program of study. The fundamentals of good oral and written communication skills for the Civil Engineer are emphasized. An introduction to engineering library resources is also included. Pre: ENGE 1024. (3H,2C) I,II.

2814: CIVIL AND ENVIRONMENTAL ENGINEERING MEASUREMENTS
Introduction to various data measurement issues in civil and environmental engineering, including collection techniques, analysis, error, and statistical evaluation in all sub-disciplines. Spatial measurement topics include GPS, leveling, distance and angular measurement, mapping and topographic surveys, automated data collection, terrain models, earthwork methods, construction surveying, geodesy, and GIS. Pre: BC students required to take the BC 1224 pre-requisite, they are exempt from the co-requisite ENGE 2824. CEE students are required to take the ENGE 1114 pre-requisite. Pre: ENGE 1114 or BC 1224, (MATH 1206 or MATH 1206H), (MATH 1224 or MATH 1224H). Co: ENGE 2824. (3H,3L,4C)

3014: CONSTRUCTION MANAGEMENT
Fundamental elements involved in managing construction projects. Management structure, construction contracts, equipment and labor productivity, scheduling, quality assurance, and cost control. Junior standing required. (2H,3L,3C) I,II.

3104: INTRODUCTION TO ENVIRONMENTAL ENGINEERING
Overall view of environmental engineering with emphasis on hazardous waste management, water treatment, wastewater treatment, air pollution and its control, solid waste management, groundwater pollution and environmental regulations. A grade of C- or better required in pre-requisites CHEM 1035, 1045, MATH 1205, 1206, and PHYS 2305. I, II. Pre: (CHEM 1035 or CHEM 1074), (CHEM 1045 or CHEM 1084), (MATH 1206 or MATH 1206H or MATH 2016), (PHYS 2305 or PHYS 2205). (3H,3C)

3404: THEORY OF STRUCTURES
Fundamental tools and methods of structural analysis: moment-area, slope-deflection, force, and moment-distribution methods. Influence lines. Application to beams, trusses, and simple frames. A grade of C- or better required in pre-requisite ESM 2204. I.II Pre: ESM 2204. (3H,3C)

3424: REINFORCED CONCRETE STRUCTURES I
Behavior and design of reinforced concrete members based on ultimate strength. Beams and slabs in flexure, shear and torsion, development of reinforcement. Columns with axial force plus bending, slenderness effects in columns. A grade of C- or better required in pre-requisite 3404. I,II Pre: 3404. (3H,3C)

3434: DESIGN OF STEEL STRUCTURES I
Behavior and design of structural steel members and steel-frame buildings, including simple and fixed connections. AISC specifications; elastic theory. Design members to resist tension, compression, bending, torsion; plate girders, composite beams. ESM 3054 may be taken in place of co-requisite CEE 3684. Pre: 3404. Co: 3684. (2H,3L,3C) I,II.

3514: INTRO TO GEOTECHNICAL ENGR
Engineering properties of soils including their descriptions and classifications, the effects of water, soil strength and compressibility. Introduction to soil stabilization, earth pressures, slope stability, and foundations. A grade of C- or better required in pre-requisites GEOS 2104 and ESM 2204. Pre: ESM 2204, (GEOS 1004 or GEOS 2104 or GEOL 1004 or GEOL 2104). (2H,2L,3C) I, II.

3684: CIVIL ENGINEERING MATERIALS
Characteristics of constituent materials and the design and behavior of Portland cement and bituminous concrete mixtures with demonstrated laboratory experiments. Pre: CHEM 1035, CHEM 1045, ESM 2204, CEE 2814, (GEOS 2104 or GEOS 1004). (2H,3L,3C) I,II.

3804: COMPUTER APPLICATIONS FOR CIVIL AND ENVIRONMENTAL ENGINEERS
Introduction to computer applications in civil and environmental engineering. Integration of design, data management, computer programming and problem solving skills with computer tools and techniques. Topics include systems analysis, optimization, database management, computer programming and data structures. Junior Standing Required. (2H,2L,3C) I,II.

4014 (BC 4024): ESTIMATING, PRODUCTION, AND COST ENGINEERING
Interpretation of plans and specifications, preparation of construction estimates, and cost control. Methods analysis, resource requirements, and resource costs in building systems, including system components, and in large-scale civil engineering works such as highways, bridges, and hydraulic structures. A grade of C- or better required in pre-requisite 3014. I,II Co: 3014. (3H,3C)

4024: CONSTRUCTION CONTROL TECHNIQUES
Techniques used to plan, schedule, and control the Construction Process. Emphasizes manual and computer-based approaches. Focuses on an analytical approach towards the construction process whereby good technical methodologies and solutions are converted to reality through construction practices. I Pre: 3014. Co: 4014. (3H,3C)

4074: CONSTRUCTION ENGINEERING: MEANS AND METHODS
Construction means, methods, and equipment used to transform a particular design concept into a completed usable structure or facility. Selection and optimization of individual units as well as the systems needed to produce the required work to the required quality on time and on budget. I (3H,3C)

4554: NATURAL DISASTER MITIGATION AND RECOVERY
Causes, mechanics, classifications, and forces associated with tornadoes, hurricanes, floods, earthquakes, and landslides. Resistance evaluation for existing ground, facilities and structures. Hazard-resistant design of new facilities. Risk and reliability assessment and decision analysis. Strategies and designs for natural disaster risk mitigation. Emergency response for protection of life and property and restoration of lifelines. Includes an interdisciplinary team project. A grade of C- or better required in pre-requisites 3304, 3514 and 3684. II Pre: 3304, 3514, 3684. (3H,3C)

4804: PROFESSIONAL AND LEGAL ISSUES IN ENGINEERING
Analysis of the legal, professional, and ethical aspects of engineering practice; introduction to contract law and contract dispute resolution, professional liability, and other aspects of law relevant to engineering practice; professional registration and codes of ethics. Pre: Senior standing in engineering. (3H,3C) I,II.